Soft drink carries warning

Press, 22 September 1984, Page 8

Soft drink carries warning

PA Wellington A low-calorie soft drink just introduced to New Zealand carries a warning on the label that it is not recommended for children, except on medical advice. The drink is “Diet Coke,” which is canned under the authority of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Auckland. It contains 0.11 per cent of an artificial sweetener, cyclamate, a substance banned in the United States and Canada.

The Assistant Director of Public Health, Mr Jim

Fraser, said yesterday that the labelling was in line with Health Department regulations on cyclamate. “This substance and the artificial sweetner, saccharine, are allowed only in special-purpose foods (such as low-calorie drinks). When they are used, they have to carry a warning that they are not recommended for children,” said Mr Fraser.

This was because these substances were believed to promote cancer. Children were thought to be particularly at risk. Mr Fraser said that New

Zealand had a policy on the two sweeteners similar to the policies in Britain and Australia.

In the United States cyclamates were banned, and products containing saccharine had to carry a warning, he said. The product sold under the name “Diet Coke” in the United States did not contain any cyclamate at all.

Mr Fraser said it was possible that a child could buy a can of “Diet Coke” from a New Zealand dairy, but the department was satisfied the labelling was adequate.

“It is pretty difficult to insist that different types of coke be kept in separate areas,” he said. The Coca-Cola company had told the department that its advertising was aimed at creating a market for “Diet Coke” among weight watchers, rather than children, he said. Other Coca-Cola products were geared towards a younger market.

“They say they advertise different products at different times, depending on the target audiences.” The company was not available for comment.